Parents too tired to read bedtime story to children

WITH teenage literacy levels falling, a survey has found that fewer than one third of Irish children have a story read to them at bedtime.

The survey of more than 300 parents looked at the importance of reading with children, to build an interest in reading and writing.

The research found that 60% of parents said longer working hours had left them too tired, with almost half agreeing there is too much to do at home to spend time reading with their child.

Just over 60% said bedtime is stressful but a routine incorporating reading would ease a child to sleep.

The survey was carried out by Direction Research for Nestle Munch Bunch.

Education Minister Ruairi Quinn made improving literacy standards a priority after OECD data showed that 15-year-olds here have fallen in international rankings on reading ability.

Although their scores were average in the 2009 test results, our teenagers have fallen from fifth-best at reading in the test carried out in 27 countries in 2000, to 17th from students tested in 33 countries in 2009.

A number of initiatives, particularly those aimed at schools in disadvantaged areas where one in three primary pupils are likely to have serious literacy problems, have encouraged reading at home by giving books to families.

Planned reforms include a requirement from this month that primary pupils receive 90 minutes of lessons devoted to literacy every day.

Changes are also being made in teacher training and Junior Certificate students from 2015 will only sit exams in up to eight subjects, so schools can focus on literacy and numeracy.

Director of the National Adult Literacy Agency, Inez Bailey, said engagement in family literacy was crucial to improving literacy rates.

“Parents are the first and most constant educators of their children, so engagement in family literacy is particularly important. Yet not every parent finds it easy to help their child develop and learn.

“We frequently receive requests from parents looking for guidance in terms of helping their children, and in some cases themselves, in improving their literacy and numeracy.

“While family literacy programmes are being delivered in Vocational Educational Committees and other community contexts, there is very little support for families wishing to address these issues themselves, independently in their own homes.”

She stressed the importance of the Government’s strategy to improve literacy and numeracy among children, which was announced in July. It includes a range of actions to enable parents and communities to support children’s literacy and numeracy development.